Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Senior Attorney (#20002245)

General Statement

Under general supervision, performs a wide range of legal work, such as drafting and reviewing all legal documents and prosecuting/defending the District in court and before various administrative bodies.

Essential Job Functions

Essential job functions are fundamental, core functions common to positions in a classification.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class.  Since class specifications are designed to be descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents may complete one or all of the job duties listed or tasks of similar kind not specifically listed here.
  • Prosecutes and defends cases at all levels of state and federal courts, representing the District before various administrative bodies, which may include preparing pleadings, motions, briefs, issuing and responding to discovery, interviewing and deposing witnesses, reviewing and preparing evidence and witnesses, negotiating settlements, and trying cases.    
  • Prepares legal documents such as bonds, leases, contracts, intergovernmental and settlement agreements, legislative measures, resolutions, and ordinances, and reviews such legal documents and environmental permits as to form and legality.   
  • Assists in advising District officers and staff on various legal issues, interpreting statutes, and ordinances, and procedures, and drafting legal opinions.    
  • Monitors compliance with District land use agreements.    
  • Assists in drafting rules, procedures, and policies. 
  • Provides direction to paralegal and administrative staff including assigning and reviewing work.

Other Job Functions

  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Environmental Conditions

Work is performed in a typical office environment requiring the use of standard office equipment and technology.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Thorough knowledge of the Illinois and Federal Codes of Civil Procedure. 
  • Thorough knowledge of the Illinois and Federal Rules of Evidence.    
  • Thorough knowledge of the procedures before administrative agencies and state and federal courts.    
  • Considerable knowledge of the laws, ordinances, rules and precedents governing District activities.   
  • Negotiation skills.   
  • Ability to effectively prosecute and defend cases in state and federal court and before various administrative bodies. Ability to draft clear and persuasive briefs and legal opinions.    
  • Ability to conduct legal research using Westlaw or other research platforms.    
  • Ability to provide sound advice and legal counsel.    
  • Ability to communicate persuasively and effectively both orally and in writing. 
  • Ability to create and edit documents in programs such as Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat.

Absolute Requirements

Admission to the Illinois Bar and the General Bar for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree and two years of experience in the general practice of law.

Promotional Requirement

  • One year of service with the District as an Assistant Attorney.
  • Civil service status as an Assistant Attorney.
CLASS: 20002245; EST: 1/1/2013; REV: 2/1/2024;